First Alert today announced that it will be previewing a new model of its Safe & Sound smoke and carbon monoxide detector , which doubles as a speaker, at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. The new model will remain compatible with HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled in the Home app on iOS and macOS and with Siri voice commands.
The second-generation Safe & Sound features mesh Wi-Fi technology, delivering expanded and stronger Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the home, according to First Alert. And coming "soon" - that's been the case for awhile - the detector will support AirPlay 2, enabling streaming...Read more ...

AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support coming to Vizio SmartCast TVs

Get your content on the big screen easily and control your TV with Siri.
Hot on the heels of the news that AirPlay 2 support is coming to Samsung TVs this year, Vizio today announced that it plans to add support for the streaming tech to its lineup of SmartCast TVs in the coming months. As well as AirPlay 2, HomeKit will be supported meaning your Vizio TV set can be added to your Home app and be controlled via Siri.
Vizio says that the newest version of its SmartCast platform will add AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to new and existing TV models. It will be a free update to existing...Read more ...

CES 2019: Select Vizio Smart TVs to Gain Support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Later This Year

Vizio today announced that its recent smart TVs will gain support for Apple's wireless streaming protocol AirPlay 2 and smart home platform HomeKit via a free SmartCast 3.0 over-the-air software update later this year.
AirPlay 2 support will allow users to stream videos, music, photos, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, and Mac to SmartCast-enabled Vizio TVs, complete with lock screen controls. HomeKit support will enable users to easily control the TV using the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac or Siri voice commands.
Vizio says the SmartCast 3.0 update with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit can...Read more ...

TP-Link today announced that it plans to make its Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini compatible with HomeKit in early 2019.
HomeKit support will allow for the smart plug to be controlled in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac and with Siri voice commands. It will also be possible to add the smart plug to a HomeKit scene, which lets users control multiple accessories at the same time, such as when arriving home.
This smart plug features a compact design that takes up only one receptacle on a typical double-receptacle wall outlet. They cost $24.99 each or $64.99 for a three-pack on...Read more ...

ARLO has finally announced a complete home security system, at CES 2019. This is a completely do-it-yourself system, which includes the ARLO multi-sensor, ARLO Siren, ARLO Remote and it is powered by the SmartHub. Users will be able to control the entire system with the ARLO app - available on both Android and iOS. ARLO's multi-sensor is different from the sensors you would pick up from Nest and other competitors. This is a versatile sensor that can be used nearly anywhere. Whether that's on a door, window or elsewhere. Other systems have sensors for each location, forcing users to buy...Read more ...

Here's everything Arlo announced at CES 2019!

The Arlo Ultra and Pro 2 are also gaining support for Apple HomeKit.
CES 2019 has barely begun, but that hasn't stopped Arlo from making a heap of announcements for its smart home security platform.
First up, Arlo announced availability for its Arlo Ultra camera that was first announced in late November. The Arlo Ultra will be available for purchase later this month at Best Buy and Amazon for $399. A one-year membership to Arlo Smart Premier is included with the purchase of the Ultra, giving you access to people/vehicle/package detection and 30 days of video history that's stored on Arlo's...Read more ...

Apple hasn't given up on the smart home, announces new HomeKit integrations

Apple's HomeKit has been criticized in the past for it's limited support for various smart home devices and relatively small ecosystem. Apple is apparently looking to change this, as evident from its CES announcements.
During CES, Apple and various smart home companies demoed new integrations with HomeKit and their products, including smart lights, outlets, locks, and others. Among these are : new Wemo Light Switches from Belkin that let users control lights via Siri or the Home App, a smart outlet from ConnectSense that can monitor the power consumption, ...Read more ...

Vizio announces AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support coming to SmartCast-enabled TVs this year

The trend of TV manufacturers integrating AirPlay 2 continues today at CES 2019. Vizio has announced that it is adding AirPlay and HomeKit integration to its existing SmartCast TV platform. Vizio has also unveiled its latest 4K TV updates for 2019.
more...Read more ...

Fibaro introduces new Home Center iOS app, Walli line of smart home outlets

After introducing The Button last year at CES, smart home company Fibaro is back for 2019 with a new iOS app for controlling your home and a series of connected and traditional home accessories. We previously reviewed Fibaro's Flood Sensor , the first HomeKit-compatible leak detector.
more...Read more ...

Google Assistant will soon be available on 1 billion devices as Google Home had ‘record' 2018

With CES 2019 underway, Google is kicking off the Las Vegas trade show by recapping the last year in Assistant. Google also provided some key availability and usage stats for its smart assistant, while teasing developments for the week ahead.
more...Read more ...

Belkin Wemo light switches now support Apple HomeKit

Apple HomeKit based smart homes in need of smart light switches can now be equipped with Belkin's latest Wemo light switches unveiled this week at CES 2019, which now support Apple's HomeKit technology. The Wemo Bridge Offers the ability to connect directly to Apple HomeKit allowing users to extends the Wemo functionality on the Apple...Read more ...

Apple promotes HomeKit at CES with press event to highlight new smart home accessories coming in 2019

As reported by TechCrunch , Apple is pushing HomeKit hard at CES this year. It coordinated with manufacturers to demo key new HomeKit smart home announcements to the tech press .., more...Read more ...

One of the most interesting hardware announcements at I/O 2018 was the JBL Link Bar. At CES 2019, JBL revealed that its hybrid Google Assistant smart speaker and Android TV set-top box is shipping this spring.
more...Read more ...

Maximus Answer DualCam Video Doorbell at CES 2019

Maximus , a home security company providing easy-to-install smart home security solutions, today announces the Maximus Answer DualCam Video Doorbell, the first smart doorbell to include dual-cameras.
As the only smart home product with two cameras, Maximus Answer is the most effective security product to fully capture video footage of people and packages at your front door.
Maximus Answer uses a 1080p HDR camera to eliminate top or bottom blind spots that exist in smart doorbells currently on the market, providing a field view of 155°. The front-facing music quality speaker plays messages...Read more ...

CES 2019: Netatmo Announces Smart Video Doorbell With HomeKit Support

Following its recent acquisition by Legrand, French company Netatmo has announced an Apple HomeKit compatible smart doorbell at CES 2019.
The Smart Video Doorbell features a typical design that includes a 1080p camera at the top with 160-degree lens and built-in motion sensor, two-way communication via built-in speaker and microphone, and a button at the bottom for visitors to ring.
The HomeKit support means that users can receive an instant iOS notification when someone rings the doorbell which enables them to jump straight into the Home app to see who's at the door.
The Apple HomeKit...Read more ...

CES 2019: Brilliant Home Control Light Switch Replacement Gaining HomeKit Support in the Spring

Smart home tech company Brilliant will be adding HomeKit support to its Brilliant Home Control light switch in spring 2019, Brilliant told MacRumors today.
Introduced in September 2018 , Brilliant Control is designed to replace any existing light switch in your home, adding touch and voice control capabilities for a number of smart home platforms.
At launch, Brilliant supported smart home devices from Amazon, Google, Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, Ring, August, Philips Hue, Sonos, and Wemo, but HomeKit support was left out. That's going to be rectified later this year, with Brilliant announcing...Read more ...